Wild Bird Food

1. Start with the basics. Black sunflower seeds and sunflower hearts are the staple foods for most birds.
2. Add some variety. High-energy seed mixes, peanuts and nyger seeds are all popular additions to a bird’s staple diet. Other tempting snacks include windfall apples and finely grated cheese.
3. Choose the right food, depending on the size of the birds in your garden. For smaller birds, millet seeds, soft crumb mixes, linseed and hemp are suitable, whereas larger birds prefer coarser textures, such as black sunflower seeds.
4. Adjust the food you provide, according to the season. Different species of birds are likely to visit your garden at different times of the year, so adjust the food that you supply accordingly.
5. Look for bird-specific seed blends. At Let’s Get Gardening, we supply Gardman bird food that has been specially designed for specific species, including robins, finches, hedgerows, blue tits and songbirds.
6. Supply sultanas to attract blackbirds, but soak them in water first.
7. Use Gardman mealworms as a substitute for natural foods found in the wild. These are especially appreciated by robins, blackbirds and wirens.
8. Supply pinhead oats to attract fine-billed dunnocks, but do not leave them outside in the wet.
9. Use suet treats to attract species like the long-tailed tit. Putting out fruits, nectar, water and mealworms will also help to attract a wider variety of birds.
10. Keep food areas clean to reduce the risk of disease, and only put out seeds that you know birds will eat.

For further advice on bird feeding, please contact the National Bird Feeding Society via e-mail at info@birdfeeding.org.